Profile
About Owen Smith
Owen Smith is a cannabis advocate, writer, and independent advisor based in Victoria, British Columbia. His work spans more than twenty years of patient access, law reform, business, and public education. He approaches industry growth through ethical practice, public trust, and community benefit.
Selected experience
Work grounded in access and public life.
- Medical cannabis & community advocacy Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club. Experience in patient access, cannabis medicine making, public education, and advocacy.
- Law reform R. v. Smith, 2015 SCC 34. Respondent in the unanimous Supreme Court of Canada decision concerning authorized medical access to cannabis beyond dried cannabis. Decision (opens in a new tab) and timeline (opens in a new tab).
- Business & independent advisory Business development, policy research, content strategy, and social and environmental responsibility.
- Knowledge Translation Volunteer MAPS Canada, June 2024–June 2025. Research review, writing, and visual reports for public audiences. View the portfolio.
Education
University of Victoria
Ongoing study in sociology and Indigenous governance, including economic development and human resources.
Publications & public communication
Writing and conversations in public.
- Legalizing Cannabis Extracts: A Journey to the Supreme Court of Canada
- The Legalizers / Substack and Cannabis Digest (opens in a new tab) Essays on cannabis, policy, history, and community.
- Podcasts & interviews
- Santa Cannabis Illustrated storybook.